Danube:Future is a joint contribution of the Danube Rectors’ Conference (DRC) and the Alps-Adriatic Rectors’ Conference (AARC), thus tapping the largest pool of institutionalized knowledge in the Danube River Basin. Based on this network, interdisciplinary research and education in the DRB will be undertaken. Any path towards a sustainable future of the region has to account for the solution of pressing socio-ecological issues.Project activitiesDanube:Future is a multi-year program (2013-2020). It consists of three modules: (a) core, (b) capacity building and (c) sustainability related research with a long-term socio-ecological component. The Core will create the DRB-Sustainability Knowledge Base as main output, including the DF WIKI.Danube:Future is a unique combination of regional, national and supra-national initiatives in interdisciplinary sustainability research with training and capacity building. It contributes to the sustainable development of the Danube River Basin (DRB) with a particular focus on the contribution of humanities.Danube:Future was born as a Flagship Project of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR). While Danube:Future is a contribution to Priority Area 7, “To develop the knowledge society:research, education and ICT”, it has strong links to other Pillars and Priority Areas.Results will be useful for the restoration and maintenance of the quality of waters, for the management of environmental risks and for the preservation of biodiversity, landscapes and the quality of air and soils. Danube:Future is an investment on people and skills, with a particular contribution to culture and tourism.The main focus areas for intervention in the DRB as identified by the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) are well covered by Danube:Future. The long-term and interdisciplinary perspective will support an efficient protection of water resources as well as the reduction of eutrophication and toxic chemical releases by revealing legacies of past activities. Together with flood risk mitigation this will contribute to creating healthy and sustainable river systems Achievements: Project achievements are available on the project website: http://www.danubefuture.eu/